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SOURCES: PETTIT TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND
January 4, 2008
Washington-Sources have confirmed that former District Attorney John Pettit will be visiting New Zealand for at least two weeks starting on January 10th, 2008. As previously reported, Pettit has sought an expedited passport for a trip overseas in the wake of a federal grand jury.
Pettit is believed to be taking the trip as part of a golf vacation in the wake of his stunning defeat by Republican Steve Toprani in November. But is golf really the reason for a trip to a foreign nation right before a Federal Grand Jury will meet to examine evidence possibly against the long time District Attorney?
Most political observers at the swearing in ceremony for Steve Toprani did not believe that Golf was the real reason for Pettit’s trip. “John Pettit doesn’t do anything without a reason” said foe and Commissioner Larry Maggi. It was a sentiment that was echoed over and over again by the individuals that had supported Steve Toprani.
But if there is a reason, why New Zealand? The island nation has an extradition treaty dating from 1970 with the United States, though it does prohibit the extradition of anyone facing the death penalty without assurances that the United States will not seek the death penalty. It also is not a signature to a series of Hague conventions dealing with prisoners and does not allow the extradition of individuals that are being extradited for solely political purposes.
American attempts at extradition have been widely successful, though slow at times from New Zealand.
A possibility is the fact that individuals from New Zealand and Australia can easily visit a series of small island states in the pacific without passports. The result could be that someone visiting New Zealand could disappear into the Pacific states rather easily if they wanted. From these smaller states like Nauru, they could establish new identities.
But does John Pettit have other reasons for his trip? That truly remains the question. If he would not return on time from New Zealand, then the answer would be obvious. If he did, it could just be the trip of a lifetime that he wanted to take before any possible indictment, if one would take place.
One thing is for certain, Pettit has been an avid golfer for years. He has been a golf partner of County administrator Scott Fergus and was golfing alongside Judge David Gilmore when he died.
A quick check of New Zealand golf sites reveal that golfing is both popular and easy to find in the island state. Like many former British Commonwealth states, golfing is a popular sport having been transplanted from Scotland.
One observer did question why Pettit did not visit Scotland, the home of golf. Maybe golf is better down under.
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